The Hindu : Other States / Orissa News : Airlines asked to pay 1-lakh compensation

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Friday, Aug 24, 2007
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Airlines asked to pay 1-lakh compensation

Correspondent

CUTTACK: The State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, in a significant ruling on Wednesday, asked the Indian Airlines to pay a consolidated amount of Rs. 1,00,000 as compensation to a teacher of Berhampur for loss of his baggage in July 1999. The airlines would also pay the legitimate dues of USD 240 to the complainant, including Rs. 5,000 towards the cost of litigation.

Susant Kumar Baral, a faculty member of the Business Administration Department of Berhampur University, had gone to Singapore eight years ago to attend a conference. But, to his utter surprise upon reaching Singapore airport by IA flight on the night of July 6, 1999, Mr. Balal noticed that his registered baggage containing his dress, research papers, floppy discs and some currency was lost.

Mr. Baral had to borrow $ 75 from the airlines airport manager to purchase a new suit to wear for the conference that was scheduled to begin on July 8.

The conference host, after hearing his plight, allowed him to present his papers without charging any registration fee. But, his troubles did not end there. After the conference was over on July 10, he had to cancel his flight back home on July11 after the airlines staff assured him that his baggage would be traced within two days. But even after overstaying on the alien land for three more days sleeping on the lounge and sustaining on the frugal meals, Mr. Baral had returned to India on July 14 without his baggage.

Even as the Indian Airlines assured Mr. Baral that he would be adequately compensated for the lost baggage, the former did not take any action till 2004 following which he moved the commission. The airlines authorities, appearing before the commission, did not dispute the claim but said that under the provisions of the Air Act, 1972, the complainant was eligible to get only $ 240 as compensation for the loss of his 12-kg baggage at the rate of $ 20 per kg.

Deficiency of service

Commission president Justice R.K. Patra and Member Subash Mahatab, disposing of the case, came down heavily on the Indian Airlines. Holding the airlines guilty for deficiency of services and causing mental agony and suffering to the passenger, the commission directed the airlines to pay the compensation to Mr. Baral by October 31, 2007.

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